Add A Splash Of This Sauce To Biscuits And Gravy For A Zesty Flavor Boost

In Southern Appalachia in the 1800s, hard-working loggers and other-blue collar workers first prepared biscuits and gravy: a dish that was affordable, warm, and calorie-dense, which helped them push through the long days. Its stick-to-your-ribs appeal has turned it into an American icon and a dish that appeals to people around the country. By splashing some Tabasco sauce on top, you can transform this otherwise heavy dish into something exciting and zesty.

If you can believe it, Tabasco sauce is made with just three ingredients: vinegar, red peppers, and salt. It is tangy, spicy, and adds an extraordinary amount of zestiness to a creamy dish like biscuits and gravy, cutting through the milk-based gravy, rich pork, and fluffy biscuits with ease. Just a few drops of the condiment perk up every delectable bite. It doesn't change the dish from being a great big hug of a meal, but rather elevates and complements all of the other flavors. Yes, other hot sauces will act similarly, but it's the vinegar-forward flavor of Tabasco that we think brightens biscuits and gravy best of all.

Many people are likely most familiar with the traditional Southern version of biscuits and gravy, which consists of milk-based sausage gravy poured on top of baked biscuits. But, like any iconic dish, many people have created their own versions. The great thing is that Tabasco sauce would taste fantastic on any of these. For example, some substitute shrimp, crab, or lobster for the sausage, creating a truly luxurious version that is far from its humble origin. Just as New England clam chowder tastes amazing with the spicy sauce, so would this seafood version of biscuits and gravy.

Those who want to take the meat out of biscuits and gravy might substitute mushrooms for the sausage. This version, too, would get a major pick-me-up from a few drops of Tabasco sauce. And there should be plenty to go around; a standard 2-ounce bottle of the sauce contains 720 drops. If you want the Tabasco to totally infuse your gravy, consider mixing the condiment with the meat while it's cooking instead of sprinkling it on individual servings. 

As for your biscuits, virtually any kind will make for a filling, tasty meal, including canned, boxed, and frozen varieties, as well as leftover or drop biscuits. If you're making the latter, remember that you should always be warming the cream you're using to make them.